Ancient Animal - PalaeolagusFuture Animal- Validus Prohibeo CrurEuropean Rabbit European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), also known as an Old World or a domestic rabbit, is the only type of species in its genus. A wild European Rabbit weighs approximately 1.5 kg to 2.5 kg and is 38 cm to 50 cm long however a domestic rabbit are usually slightly larger. A European rabbit's fur is generally grey embedded with black and brown and sometimes red depending on their individual genes. The underside of the rabbit's body is of a paler grey colour whereas the underside of the tail is white. The appearance of European Rabbit is prompt for variations (such as Melanistic specimens) depending mainly on their genes.
The bionomial name of the European Rabbit is Oryctolagus cuniculus which refers as "Old World". In fact, this species of rabbit has been around for a long period of time, it was first widely introduced and kept in ancient Rome then refined into many other species during the middle ages period (around 5th to 15th century).
Although many people keeps this species of rabbits as domestic pets it is known as an "invasive species" in many regions and can cause many problems affecting the ecosystems and environment. This report focuses on the structural adaptations, behaviour adaptations and physiological adaptations of the European Rabbit.
A European Rabbit- Source: http://www.theanimalfiles.com/images/european_rabbit_2.jpg
Scientific Classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Lagomorpha
Family:
Leporidae
Genus:
Oryctolagus
Species:
O. Cuniculus (Oryctoplagus Cuniculus)
Labelled Diagram of The European Rabbit
European Rabbit- Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/species/European_Rabbit
Habitat
Distribution Range of European Rabbits- Source: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41291/0
Wild European Rabbits can be found in every continent except for Asia and Antarctica, however domestic rabbit can be found in every continent. This species of rabbit is native to the South-West Europe in countries such as Portugal and Spain and North Africa. European Rabbits tend to favour dry areas near sea level with soft and sandy soil which can accommodate their burrow-digging practices. Social interaction is a key and crucial feature in their lives hence the European Rabbits live in a colony with many different colonies living in the same burrow.
Typically, the European Rabbit also lives in meadows, forests, woods and grasslands in a moderate climate. Its most preferable temperature to live in its around 12.6 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Other factors that they consider are the location of food source, nonetheless they are herbivores thus their only food source are grass. Grass is definitely available in meadows and other natural environment. As the European Rabbits are situated at the bottom of the food chain, it has many varieties of predators such as the Coyotes and Jackals. They are rarely seen out of their burrows in the daylight or may hide in the bush lands until it is safe. Furthermore, the location of Rabbit colony depends on factors such as the ability to provide shelter from predators and whether the size can accommodate the large number of animals.
Rabbit Burrow Located Among Grassland- Source: http://www.mylittlepetrabbit.com/wild%20pictures/wild-rabbit,-burrow-5712.jpg
The system of the European Rabbits' habitat and ecology is terrestrial meaning it spends most or not all of its time on land. Being rather careful animals, they spend a lot of time hiding in their burrows and only come out to eat during nighttime. Not only can it hide from its predators but enjoy the cooler temperature underground. Other animals that it may come in contact with are Wombats whom too inhabits the Australian continent.
Moreover, the European Rabbit are nocturnal animals meaning they are active during nighttime. However their environment gives them an advantage allowing it to camouflage between the tall grass so its predators especially those that roam the sky will not be able to see it from a distance. In conclusion, the European Rabbits species live in an environment that is mostly surrounded by grass (which is their main diet) and soft soil where the colony can dig burrows underground to breed and feed in.
Structural Adaptations
Long Ears
Rabbit and their Elongated Ears- Source:http://www.bunny-rabbits.com/rabbits.jpg
Like any other animals in the Leporidae family (excluding pikas), European rabbits have elongated ears. Unlike human being, European rabbits do not only use their ears for hearing apparatus. In the wild, these rabbits need good listening to hear the approach of predators and any potential danger. They are able to control and swivel their respective ears (up to 270 degrees) in different directions to hear the sounds coming from corresponding directions and they can monitor two different sounds at the same time. Also, another method of losing heat in the hot summer other than resting in their cool underground burrows is to control their body temperature, so the larger the ears are, the cooler they shall be. As blood flows to their ears, heat is given off hence the blood returns to the body in a form that it was cooler than when it entered. In a cold environment, its ear vessels will reduce the amount of blood flow which decreases heat loss and keeps its body warm. The environment pressure for this adaptation is the nature of the European Rabbit being careful animals, their poor vision does little in the pitch dark environment hence their hearing can alert them with any danger nearby, this can help the species to maximize their chance of survival.
For the European Rabbit species, their incisors are important as it directly impacts on the animal's health and wellbeing. They have six incisors, four on the top and two on the bottom. The second set of upper incisors also known as 'peg teeth' are located right behind the first set of upper incisors. The first set of upper incisors are used for gnaw and snip off plants for consumption and the bottom set of incisors are used for grinding the food in a sideway motion. Due to the fact that, rabbit teeth grows throughout their entire life, natural grinding of teeth helps the rabbit to keep their incisors in regular shape. Rabbit do not grind their teeth during eating but also while they are resting especially when it is relaxed and satisfied. Also, vets have proven other usage of their incisors such as to remodel their habitat, express their emotions, grooming and to mark territories. The environmental pressure is that the European Rabbits not only can express their emotions with their teeth but it is used to consume their food, without these incisors it is not possible for the species to chew and snip off the plant. If they cannot eat grass which is their only food source, the European Rabbits will fail to maintain a healthy lifestyle and consequently all die out. Behaviour Adaptations
"Communication" and Sensory Ability
By communication skills, it doesn't necessarily mean the European Rabbit has the ability to talk however scientists have discovered certain actions that can be interpreted when they feel a particular emotion. In the wild, whenever danger approaches or potential threat are nearby the Rabbit tend to thump their hind legs loudly this can also acknowledge its ‘peers’ to watch out. On the other hand, if the Rabbit wants to show signs of threats it will project loud tooth grinding and soft growls. Like most animals, when the animal feels dominant (especially male) it will exhibit actions to show signs of territorial dominance by surrounding the area with their own feces or spraying the area with their own urine. Another method would be rubbing their chin onto the object or area; this can leave behind secretions from their chin glands. Because the Rabbit is a nocturnal animal and lives underground it has structural adaptation such as long sensitive ears to hear any potential danger. If it feels threaten, the Rabbit will crouched down as low as possible with their ears pointed straight up and their heads will avoid any eye contact. Knowing this information can allow the scientists to further develop more knowledge on this breed of animal and continue research. The environment pressure for this adaptation is that by showing its emotion by different actions it can warn others about the increasing potential danger out in the wild thus save individuals from being killed. This can help the species from being swiped out.
Choosing a Mateand Reproduction
Due to a rather short life span of approximately 10 years, European Rabbits reproduce at a rapid rate.
This can also be a problem for many nations such as Australia for dramatic increase of population over a short period of time, it was recorded in less than a century when 24 rabbits were first introduced the population grew to almost 600 million.
A normal female European Rabbit (a Doe) usually starts breeding at six months old and a normal male (a Buck) at seven months. The male usually show his affections by following, licking or sniffing and fight with other male for attention. A Doe show her acceptance by lifting up her hind legs and the Buck would fall on its side and let out a grunt. Ovulation begins 10 hours after mating. The mating season occurs usually during warm months to allow babies a larger chance of survival. After the mateship, the Doe then makes a 'nest' and surrounds the 'nest' with fur from her dewlap, flanks and stomach. A pregnant Doe will have endure a gestation period of approximately 31 days (one month) and have a litter of 3 - 8 babies. A pair of rabbits are capable to produce up to 30-40 babies per annum. The environment pressure for this adaptation is the obvious reason of creating the future generation to pass on their genetics and keep the species from demolishing Psychological Adaptation
Digestion and Excretion
As gross as it may sound, rabbit do consume their own feces for second extraction of nutrients. Rabbit produces two types of feces; fecal pellets in form of round and dry usually found in litter boxes and cecotropes in form of soft, greenish, mucous covered feces. The cecotropes are very nutritious consisting high level of vitamin. It is produced in the Cecum which is part of the rabbit's digestive sytem located in the junction of the and large intestine. In the Cecum it has a natural community of bacteria and viruses that administers fundamental nutrients and are able to protect the animal from potential harmful pathogens. Because rabbits aren't able to digest their diet of grass and absorb nutrients from the intestinal wall, consuming their own cecotropes is a direct way to do so. It is crucial and significant part of the European Rabbit's digestive system. The environmental pressure for the European Rabbits to consume their own feces is that they need the nutrients and vitamins that the first round of feces consist hence consuming it again allow the animal to fully absorb. Also, it can protect the Rabbit from harmful pathogen allowing it to stay in a healthy form thus it is indirectly saving the Rabbit species' well being. Bibliography
- essortment.(n.d.).Info on the European Rabbit. Retrieved July 27, 2010. from http://www.essortment.com/all/europeanrabbit_rmoq.htm
The bionomial name of the European Rabbit is Oryctolagus cuniculus which refers as "Old World". In fact, this species of rabbit has been around for a long period of time, it was first widely introduced and kept in ancient Rome then refined into many other species during the middle ages period (around 5th to 15th century).
Although many people keeps this species of rabbits as domestic pets it is known as an "invasive species" in many regions and can cause many problems affecting the ecosystems and environment. This report focuses on the structural adaptations, behaviour adaptations and physiological adaptations of the European Rabbit.
Labelled Diagram of The European Rabbit
Habitat
Typically, the European Rabbit also lives in meadows, forests, woods and grasslands in a moderate climate. Its most preferable temperature to live in its around 12.6 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Other factors that they consider are the location of food source, nonetheless they are herbivores thus their only food source are grass. Grass is definitely available in meadows and other natural environment. As the European Rabbits are situated at the bottom of the food chain, it has many varieties of predators such as the Coyotes and Jackals. They are rarely seen out of their burrows in the daylight or may hide in the bush lands until it is safe. Furthermore, the location of Rabbit colony depends on factors such as the ability to provide shelter from predators and whether the size can accommodate the large number of animals.
The system of the European Rabbits' habitat and ecology is terrestrial meaning it spends most or not all of its time on land. Being rather careful animals, they spend a lot of time hiding in their burrows and only come out to eat during nighttime. Not only can it hide from its predators but enjoy the cooler temperature underground. Other animals that it may come in contact with are Wombats whom too inhabits the Australian continent.
Moreover, the European Rabbit are nocturnal animals meaning they are active during nighttime. However their environment gives them an advantage allowing it to camouflage between the tall grass so its predators especially those that roam the sky will not be able to see it from a distance. In conclusion, the European Rabbits species live in an environment that is mostly surrounded by grass (which is their main diet) and soft soil where the colony can dig burrows underground to breed and feed in.
Structural Adaptations
Long Ears
Incisors
Behaviour Adaptations
"Communication" and Sensory Ability
By communication skills, it doesn't necessarily mean the European Rabbit has the ability to talk however scientists have discovered certain actions that can be interpreted when they feel a particular emotion. In the wild, whenever danger approaches or potential threat are nearby the Rabbit tend to thump their hind legs loudly this can also acknowledge its ‘peers’ to watch out. On the other hand, if the Rabbit wants to show signs of threats it will project loud tooth grinding and soft growls. Like most animals, when the animal feels dominant (especially male) it will exhibit actions to show signs of territorial dominance by surrounding the area with their own feces or spraying the area with their own urine. Another method would be rubbing their chin onto the object or area; this can leave behind secretions from their chin glands. Because the Rabbit is a nocturnal animal and lives underground it has structural adaptation such as long sensitive ears to hear any potential danger. If it feels threaten, the Rabbit will crouched down as low as possible with their ears pointed straight up and their heads will avoid any eye contact. Knowing this information can allow the scientists to further develop more knowledge on this breed of animal and continue research. The environment pressure for this adaptation is that by showing its emotion by different actions it can warn others about the increasing potential danger out in the wild thus save individuals from being killed. This can help the species from being swiped out.
Choosing a Mate and Reproduction
Due to a rather short life span of approximately 10 years, European Rabbits reproduce at a rapid rate.
A normal female European Rabbit (a Doe) usually starts breeding at six months old and a normal male (a Buck) at seven months. The male usually show his affections by following, licking or sniffing and fight with other male for attention. A Doe show her acceptance by lifting up her hind legs and the Buck would fall on its side and let out a grunt. Ovulation begins 10 hours after mating. The mating season occurs usually during warm months to allow babies a larger chance of survival. After the mateship, the Doe then makes a 'nest' and surrounds the 'nest' with fur from her dewlap, flanks and stomach. A pregnant Doe will have endure a gestation period of approximately 31 days (one month) and have a litter of 3 - 8 babies. A pair of rabbits are capable to produce up to 30-40 babies per annum. The environment pressure for this adaptation is the obvious reason of creating the future generation to pass on their genetics and keep the species from demolishing
Psychological Adaptation
Digestion and Excretion
As gross as it may sound, rabbit do consume their own feces for second extraction of nutrients. Rabbit produces two types of feces; fecal pellets in form of round and dry usually found in litter boxes and cecotropes in form of soft, greenish, mucous covered feces. The cecotropes are very nutritious consisting high level of vitamin. It is produced in the Cecum which is part of the rabbit's digestive sytem located in the junction of the and large intestine. In the Cecum it has a natural community of bacteria and viruses that administers fundamental nutrients and are able to protect the animal from potential harmful pathogens. Because rabbits aren't able to digest their diet of grass and absorb nutrients from the intestinal wall, consuming their own cecotropes is a direct way to do so. It is crucial and significant part of the European Rabbit's digestive system. The environmental pressure for the European Rabbits to consume their own feces is that they need the nutrients and vitamins that the first round of feces consist hence consuming it again allow the animal to fully absorb. Also, it can protect the Rabbit from harmful pathogen allowing it to stay in a healthy form thus it is indirectly saving the Rabbit species' well being.
Bibliography
- essortment.(n.d.).Info on the European Rabbit. Retrieved July 27, 2010. from http://www.essortment.com/all/europeanrabbit_rmoq.htm
- Northern Territory Government of Australia.(2007). Exotic Animals- European Rabbit. Retrieved July 27, 2010. from http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/wildlife/animals/exotic/rabbit.html
- Science Daily.(n.d.).European Rabbit. Retrieved July 26, 2010. from http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/e/european_rabbit.htm
- University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.(2008).Oryctolagus cuniculus. Retrieved July 26, 2010. from http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Oryctolagus_cuniculus.html
- Wikipedia.(2010).European Rabbit. Retrieved July 26, 2010. from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Rabbit